Ralph Applebaum Associates

Ralph Appelbaum Associates is seeking a full-time Content Developer to join our Social Projects Team in our New York studio; this position can be remote.

The Content Developer helps to shape the creative output of the RAA Social Projects portfolio. This position will participate in ideation and planning with the client and the design team. Working closely with and reporting to the Design Director for Social Projects, this position will shape the qualities of the visitor experience, establish a content development strategy with RAA and the client teams, implement content strategies with RAA content coordinators and RAA subconsultants, and be responsible for facilitating research and writing, asset/collection reviews, process articulation and actioning internally and externally with the client, and client communications related to all content tasks.

RAA’s Social Projects initiative serves institutions focused on highlighting profound questions of justice, equity, inclusivity, and power. 

Today, the renewed urgency for cultural institutions to be inclusive in their exhibition development and programming has pushed many to reevaluate their mission, resources, staffing, and storytelling to transform how they engage with audiences at all levels. Similarly, new institutions are challenged to boldly assert their commitment to supporting justice, equity, community dialogue, and public education.

To better serve this type of institution, RAA launched its Social Projects initiative in 2020. The Social Projects team consists of a dynamic group of multidisciplinary professionals deeply committed to the transformative potential of cultural institutions dedicated to racial justice and other social issues. We are honored to work with cultural institutions that prioritize diverse perspectives, community engagement, and social responsibility in their institutional goals.

Our philosophy is to support powerful storytelling that encourages audiences to critically engage with complex issues, experiences, and cultures. We support collaborations between clients, community leaders, scholarly advisors, artists, performers, and various other museum stakeholders. Our goal is to assist museums as they explore difficult questions about our collective past and present and envision a more just and equitable future.

• Collaborates with a project’s scholarly, community stakeholder, or curatorial bodies to define and shape exhibition narratives, including a comprehensive review of exhibition assets;
• Establishes key messages, goals, and educational outcomes for exhibits;
• Facilitates or assists the client with implementing processes for script development and review, image research and acquisition, object research and acquisition, and media strategies;
• Writes interpretive concept documents, exhibit descriptions, interactive and media treatments, content outlines, script outlines;
• Carries out independent research to further elaborate narrative topics;
• Works with the client’s content team to develop content themes and sub-themes.

• Advanced degree in Museum Studies, History, Anthropology, or other related fields in the humanities or cultural heritage;
• 6+ years of experience at museums or in the cultural heritage or exhibit design field;
• Strong leadership, organizational, multi-tasking, and time management abilities and experience;
• Interests in history and culture together with engagement in current design strategies;
• Commitment to social responsibility and civic engagement through the work of RAA Social Projects;
• Highest standards of personal and professional integrity;
• Experience working collaboratively with museum professionals;
• Demonstrated success working as part of a team;
• Collaborative and inclusive work style;
• Excellent interpersonal dexterity, approachability, and diplomacy;
• Superior written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Demonstrated skills in writing and research;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

We anticipate a primary location (New York City) salary range of $65-90K per annum for this position and an immediate start date.

RAA offers a competitive benefits package to our full-time staff, including: medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; 401k enrollment; generous paid time off. Additional benefits are offered at no cost to employees, including short- and long-term disability and life insurance. Flexible benefits are also available for employees to make tax-advantaged contributions toward medical expenses, transportation and parking costs, and childcare.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot personally respond to each applicant. Qualified candidates will be contacted via email regarding our interview process. To apply for this role, please send a cover letter, CV, and portfolio to humanresources@raai.com.